(ANS – Sokołów Podlaski) – The Fourth Congress of Mary Help of Christians took place on 21 September last in the Salesian Parish of St John Bosco at Sokołów Podlaski in the Province of Warsaw. The title of the Congress was “Mary, In You We Trust”.  About 350 people took part, from various groups of the Salesian Family and from different parts of the country.

The congress began with all the invited guests being introduced, followed by the singing of Totus Tuus, the hymn of the Sixth International Congress of Mary Help of Christians (Częstochowa 2011). Mass was celebrated at 10.30. The Vice-Provincial, Fr Przemysław Solarski presided and the homily was given by Fr Janusz Zdolski, animator of the Association of Mary Help of Christians of the Pila Province.

The second part of the Congress was held in the halls of the Salesian Institute with Fr Piotr Przesmycki as moderator. It included talks and testimonies of some Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and some Salesians. Sr Teresa Zegzuła spoke about the founding of the Institute of the FMA as an act of gratitude on Don Bosco’s part to Mary Help of Christians; Sr Janina Stankiewicz spoke on Mother Mazzarello’s relationship with Our Lady, Sr Anna Świątek’s topic was the Marian devotion of Mother  Laura Meozzi;  Sr Hanna Lewicka gave a multi-media presentation entitled “The Monument of Gratitude.”

Fr Stanisław Stachal, parish priest of the host parish, spoke about devotion to Our Lady in the city.  Fr Dariusz Matuszyński, Director of the Salesian Schools and Rector of the Salesian Community, and Sr Hanna Frąckiewicz, Superior of the FMA community, gave the history of the Salesian works at Sokołów Podlaski.

To ensure a wider audience of the Congress proceedings, each of the participants was given a booklet containing all the talks. The Congress ended with a blessing imparted by Fr Solarski and an invitation to all to come back for the next Congress which will be held in May 2014 at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Rumia.

Published 25/09/2013